A string of attacks in Iraq on Tuesday have left 29 dead and 126 wounded, in eight separate car bombings across the country.

In the northern city of Kirkuk, three bombs exploded in the morning, killing four. Al Anbar province, west of the capital, was also targeted alongside a security convoy further east in Falluja, killing a further six.

Later the same day, Shia areas of Baghdad were attacked, leaving 19 dead, in a series of apparently sectarian-motivated incidents. All three evening bombs exploded close to the site of Shia mosques.

The attacks came as Shia all over the world celebrated Ashura, the most important day in the holy month of Muharram. No group has yet come forward to claim of responsibility for the attacks, but police told CNN the explosions bear similarities with those of Al Qaeda in Iraq.